Boat&#39;s propulsion mechanism



J. 1. LA TASTE.

BOAT'S PROPULSION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29.1919.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

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J. J. LA TASTE.

BOATS PROPULSION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29. 1919.

1,329,778, Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

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JOHN J. LA TASTE, OF MACON, GEORGIA.

BOATS PROPULSION MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3,1920.

Application filed August 29, 1919. Serial No. 320,636.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. LA TASTE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Macon, in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boats Propulsion Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in boats propulsion mechanism.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for the propulsion of water crafts composed of reciprocating means having paddles attached thereto in such a manner that the maximum amount of force is produced when the paddles are moved forward and the least amount of resistance when moved backward.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a propulsion mechanism for water crafts including a reciprocating bar having a plurality of paddles attached thereto, and means cooperating with the paddles for reversing the movement of the craft, independently of the driving power.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above mentioned character which will efliciently perform the function for which it is designed, being of a simple structure and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. 1

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1, is a longitudinal side view of my invention;

Fig. 2, is a top view showing the detail arrangement of the parts;

Fig. 8, is a transverse sectional view 011 line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the way in which my invention is applied to the side of a ship;

F ig.4, is a longitudinal detail view of the main operating bar, and

Fig. 5, is a detail perspective view of one of the guard members for changing the movement of the ship.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the supporting frame for my mechanism and is formed integral with the side of the ship 5 to which it is attached, projecting laterally therefrom. The frame is positioned approximately at the water line of the ship so the same will lie upon the surface of the water. WVhile as shown in the drawings, my invention is attached to the side of the ship, it may also be attached to the bottom of the ship in a channel provided for that purpose. Extending longitudinally through the frame 5 is a slot 6 which extends approximately the entire length thereof. At each end of the slot 6 is placed a bearing bracket 7 attached thereto by means of bolts 8, said bracket having its edge bent upwardly at a right angle, as at 9, and slotted in its center to receive the reciprocating drive bar 10. Movement is imparted to this bar through the medium of the link 11 which has one end pivotally attached to the bar, as at 11, and its opposite end pivotally attached to the crank wheel 12 which is mounted on the drive shaft 13.

This bar 10 is more clearly illustrated in Fig. at being shown as having both of its ends reduced, so that the central portion of the bar will project downwardly slightly below the lower longitudinal edge of the frame 5. The lower edge 14 of the central portion of the bar 10 is provided with spaced depending ears 15 which are apertured at 16. Attached to these cars are paddles 17 which are bifurcated, as at 17, in the center of their upper edge for the reception of the depending ears 15. The upper edge of the paddles 17 is bent to form apertured lugs 19 having a pin 20 passing therethrough for pivotally securing the paddles to the cars 15.

The reversing mechanism consists of two tooth members 21 and 22 which are attached to the reciprocating bar 10. The member 21 is formed from two bars 28 and 24, each bar having its rear end bent upwardly at a right angle as at 25, the ends of which are joined by the pin 26. These bars 23 and 24 are pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of the reciprocating bar 10 on opposite sides thereof by the pivot pin 27. To guide the movement of the bars 23 and 24 a pin 28 extends through the bars at a right angle and is adapted to move in the arcuate shaped slot- 29 formed in the central portion of the reciprocating rod adjacent the jointure of the reduced end. Depending from of the iiie'iiibti 21 is limit meats s the lower longitudinal edges of the bars 23 anc 24: are a plurality of spaced teeth 30, the purpose of which is to reinforce one side of the paddles 17 when the bars 23 and 24: are in a horizontal position. Projecting upwardly from the center the bars :23 and 2d are arms 31 joined at their upper ends by the pin 32 which carries the spacing block 33. The purpose oi these arms will be described later. Connected to the forward end of the reciprocating rod 10 is a second tooth member 22 which is identically of the same shape and construction as the member 22 with the exception that the bars 23 and 24: are slightly offset as at 3% so that the moven'ient thereof will not interfere with the moven'ient or the member 21. In view of the similarity of these two members it is thought that the description of one will sufiice.

A shifting lever 35 extends longitudinally of the frame 5 and is spaced a slight distance above the reciprocating rod 10. This lever has its rear end pivotally connected between the upturned ends :25 of the member 21 by means of the pivot Adjacent the forward end of the lever 35 is a vertically extendingslot 36 which receives the pivot pin 37 which passes through the upper ends of the upturned ends 25 of the member 2:2. An actuating 'lever 33 is pivotally connected to the reciprocating rod 10 adjacent its forward end as at 39. Extend ing latcrally'lfrom this approximately intermediate its length is a lug ll) which moves in the longitudinally arcuate shaped slot ll formed in the forward end of the lever 35. Thus by moving the actuating lever 38 a reciprocating movement is imparted to the shifting lever To hold the shifting lever in its set position a depending; lug 42 is provided adjacent the forward end o'f'the lever 35 and is received alternately in the recesses 36 and 37 formed along the upper edge or the rod 10. iVhen the lug 4:2 is in the recess the member will extend upwardly at an angle, while the member 21 will lie on a horizontal plane with the frame 5 so that its teeth will. engage the front side of the paddles 17 causing; the ship to move forward. That is, when the rod 10 is moved. backward the plat teeth 30 which will. support them in a substantial vertical position. However, when the rod 10 is n'icved forward the plates 17 will move upwardly until they are flush with the undersurl ace oi the frame 5. To reverse the motion of? the ship. the actuating lever 38 is moved rearwardly until the lug engages the recess 44, which movement will elevate the member '21 while the member will drop downwardly so that the teeth 30 will be adiacent the rear side ofthe platel'l, The downward movement ed by the s aces 1? will bear against the ing block coming in contact with the bar 10.

in operation, my mechanism is generally attached to the side of the ship but may be placed beneath the ship in a channel provided for that purpose. lVhen attached to the side 01": a ship the supporting frame 5 will lie upon the surface of the water while the paddles or propulsion structure will be beneath the surface. By revolving the crank wheel 12 a reciprocatingmovement is imparted to the bar 10 so that the paddles 17 will be moved forwardly and backv-Jardly. The tooth members 21 and are moved by the shifting lever operated by the actuating lever 33, so that the propulsion direction of the paddles 1i may be changed as desired. Thus when the member 21 is in engagement with the paddles 17 the vessel will move forwardly, while when the member 22 is in engageinent with the paddles the movement of the vessel is reversed From the lore going it is readily seen that a simple structure has been produced which will efliciently perform its function for which it is designed.

it is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is o be taken a preferred example or" the same, and that certain changes in the shape, size, and arrangement or" parts may be re sorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope o1 the subjoined claims.

l iaving thus fully described my inven-' tion, claim 1. A. propulsion mechanism including a longitudinal bar, a plurality of paddles pivotally connected thereto, a pair of tooth members pivotally attached adjacent opposite ends of the bar, said members being adapted to change the propelling direction of the paddles, and means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the said bar.

2. A propulsion mechanism including" a longitudinal bar, a pluralitof paddles pivotally connected thereto, a pair of tooth members pivotally attached to opposite ends of the bar and extending toward each other, said members capable of beingpositioned so their teeth will support the paddles in a VQl'tlCfll position when moved in one direction, and means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the bar.

A p Qpulsion mechanism including a longitud aal bar. paddles pivotally connected thereto, a pair of tooth members pivoted adjacent each end of the said bar and extending}; toward each other, said members aeapted to alternately support the said paddles in a vertical position means for shifting; the position oi said members, and means parting; a reciprocating movement to the bar.

4. A propulsion mechanism including a longitudinal bar, ears depending from said bar, paddles pivotally connected to said ears, tooth members connected adjacent each end of the said bar and extending toward each other, said members adaptedto alternately engage opposite sides of the paddles for supporting them in a vertical position, a shifting lever for changing the position of said members, means for holding said shifting lever in its set position, and means imparting reciprocating movement to the said bar.

5. A propulsion mechanism including a slotted supporting frame, bearing brackets nounted at each end of said slot, a rod slidably mounted in said bearings, said bar having an enlarged central portion projecting through said slot, paddles pivotally connected to the enlarged portion, tooth mem bers pivotally attached to each end of the enlarged portion and extending toward each other, said members adapted to alternately engage opposite sides of the said paddles for supporting them in a vertical position, means for shifting the position of said members, and means imparting a reciprocating movement to said bar.

6. A propulsion mechanism including a slotted supporting frame, bearing brackets mounted at each end of said slot, a reciprocating rod mounted in said bearings, said rod having an enlarged central portion which projects through said slot, paddles pivotally connected to the enlarged portion, tooth members pivotally attached to each end of the enlarged portion, and means adapted to alternately shift said tooth members to engage opposite sides of the said paddles for the purpose specified.

7. A propulsion mechanism including a reciprocating bar, paddles pivotally con nected thereto, a pair of tooth members pivoted adjacent each end of said bar and extending toward each other, a longitudinal lever positioned in parallel relation to the reciprocatin bar, said lever being connected with the toot 1 members for alternately shitting their position, and means for operating said lever.

8. A propulsion mechanism including a slotted supporting frame, bearing brackets mounted at each end of said slots, a reciprocating rod mounted in said bearings, paddles pivotally connected to said rod, tooth members pivotally attached to each end of the rod and extending toward each other, a lever extending longitudinally of the frame and connecting the tooth members, said lever adapted to alternately shift the position of the members to engage opposite sides of the paddles, means for shifting said lever, and means for holding the tooth members in a set position.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. LA TASTE.

Witnesses:

WV. D. GRIFFEN, N. J. F AVERO. 

